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“Eat a little something”… Parashat Ekev

This week we read the famous 3 words: ואכלת, ושבעת וברכת – “and you shall eat, and be satisfied and bless’ (Deuteronomy 8:10), and one must wonder: how did this turn into four paragraphs and some blessings and closing singing … Continue reading →

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Live. Pray. Love – by – Moses

Prayer and hospital go hand in hand. Or maybe it’s prayer and life. I remember a saying: “as long as there are tests, there will be prayers in public schools”. In the end, everybody prays, every blade of grass has … Continue reading →

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The Power of Goodbye – The Book of Deuteronomy & Shabbat Chazon

The opening scene in the classic movie “Hair”, although set back in Oklahoma, those last minutes between father and son in the quiet foggy early morning, awaiting for the rickety bus to appear around the corner, always remind me of … Continue reading →

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The People of the Journey & the Journey of the People: Matot-Mas’ei

L and I are introduced warmly because “you’re both from Israel! isn’t it wonderful?!” I quickly notice that my Hebrew is too fast for her and that she has an accent I can’t quite place. The hospital worker who made … Continue reading →

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From Moses, Pinchas and “The Daughters”, to Joseph

Last Sunday was the 17th of Tammuz, a fast day, which according to tradition, commemorates five calamities which befell the Jewish people on this day: 1. Moses broke the two tablets of stone on Mount Sinai; 2. The daily tamid … Continue reading →

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Balak: It’s a great view from up here!

FJ comes down the hallway in his big smile and light, dancing gait, especially cheerful after a shower. “I feel like a new man”, he proclaims in his booming, friendly voice, as if he’s not wearing hospital pj’s, “and man, … Continue reading →

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Chukat: on struggle and love – בסוף יהיה טוב

A magnets in a store somewhere here says: “it’s going to be ok at the end. If it’s not ok, it’s not the end”. I am guessing its not based on a Rashi for this week’s Torah portion, but, then … Continue reading →

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Korach: evaluating self-evaluation

On a week when we delve deep into dealing with dispute, a little message of peace can’t hurt:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNGqqFaahGY * * * * * * * This week’s reading presents us with The “role-model” for machloket – dispute or controversy, … Continue reading →

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Parashat Sh’lach-Lecha on the 18th Fl

When the eye-doctor subs for the ear-doctor, he opens his class with: the ear is a very different organ from the eye. Let me tell you about the eye… I think about this silly little story countless times, and again … Continue reading →

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Light up the path…

There are 10 different topics and stories in this week’s reading, opening with Aaron lighting the Menorah. The Menorah was made of 7 branches, 9 flowers, 11 knobs and 22 cups (as described in Exodus 25:31-29). The Kabbalists say that … Continue reading →

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